Chapter 2079: Desperate Ice Cloud

"Master, our Ice Cloud Sect has been without elixir supplies for over half a year. Now our stockpile is less than a tenth of what it was!" Second Senior Sister Yang Fei'er said anxiously before Ice Cloud Venerable.

He Xiangyun smiled and said, "Junior Sister, what are you worried about? In this Extreme North Grassland, what matter could stump Master?"

Ice Cloud Venerable's face was cold as frost. She said indifferently, "Hmph! That brat thinks he can blockade our Ice Cloud Sect with just a Hong Dan Pavilion—how overconfident! Though alchemists are respected in the Extreme North Grassland, Gu Hong is not the only one who can refine pills."

"Heh, that newcomer has only just arrived—how could he understand Master's methods?" He Xiangyun continued to flatter.

But in truth, she was somewhat discontent inside.

She was now at the Ninth Heaven of True God, not far from the Great Perfection of the True God Realm.

He Xiangyun had heard that Master Ji was highly skilled, even capable of refining divine-grade Duotian Zaohua Pills.

If she could obtain one, wouldn't she be able to attain the Venerable position?

In this Extreme North Grassland, he was the only one!

But Master had offended him, and now they were blockaded, completely crushing her hope of breaking through to Venerable.

He Xiangyun knew her own potential well; the Great Perfection of the True God Realm was likely her limit.

As for Venerable, that step was far too difficult!

Over the past half year, Ice Cloud Venerable had traveled far and wide, finally reaching an agreement with Longyu Venerable of Beichen Market, who promised to supply elixirs to Ice Cloud Sect.

It was a bit troublesome, but at least they wouldn't run out.

Thinking of this, Ice Cloud Venerable's expression softened slightly. She said indifferently, "Mm, by my reckoning, the first batch of elixirs should arrive soon. No need to worry. But as for Xun'er, there's been no news from her. Could something have gone wrong?"

He Xiangyun smiled and said, "Master worries too much. What formidable figure could appear in a mere imperial city? Perhaps Junior Sister Xun just couldn't find the person and was delayed a few days."

Ice Cloud Venerable nodded slightly, also thinking it unlikely.

But Yang Fei'er's pretty face changed slightly. If Junior Sister Xun brought that Ye Yuan back, the youngest junior sister would surely be forced to comply.

As they were chatting, Ice Cloud Venerable suddenly sensed something. She released her divine essence, and a powerful phantom appeared in the great hall.

Seeing the visitor, Ice Cloud Venerable's perpetually icy face finally showed a trace of a smile.

"Brother Longyu, it's been a while! Have you come to see me because the first batch of elixirs we agreed upon is about to arrive?" Ice Cloud said with a smile.

This phantom was clearly a wisp of Longyu Venerable's divine sense.

Longyu smiled and said, "Sister Ice Cloud, I came to tell you that our cooperation cannot continue. As for the deposit you paid, I will have it refunded in due time. Well, I have matters to attend to. Farewell!"

"Wait, Brother Longyu—"

Longyu Venerable paid no heed to Ice Cloud Venerable. His phantom slowly dissipated, leaving Ice Cloud and her people, their faces changing drastically.

"This... how could this be?" He Xiangyun had been full of confidence moments ago, but in an instant, the situation had reversed.

Ice Cloud Venerable's face returned to a deathly stillness, uglier than ever.

When she had approached Longyu Venerable earlier, he had been very enthusiastic.

Ice Cloud Venerable had paid a higher price for it.

But who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Longyu Venerable would go back on his word.

"Sister Ice Cloud, are you there?" Suddenly, a voice rang out in the great hall.

Ice Cloud Venerable's eyes flickered. She said, "Is that Brother Chiyu? Please come in."

A figure slowly stepped in—it was Chiyu Venerable.

Among the nine Venerables of Jiuluo Market, each governed independently, but in terms of relationships, Chiyu Venerable and Ice Cloud Venerable were on good terms.

"Sister Ice Cloud, you must be careful. Over the past half year, Master Ji has traveled between markets, challenging various experts, and has become famous across the Extreme North Grassland." Chiyu said as soon as he entered the hall.

But he suddenly noticed that everyone in the hall looked very off.

Ice Cloud Venerable, in particular, looked ashen, her face full of disbelief.

"What's wrong?" Chiyu Venerable asked, puzzled.

Ice Cloud did not answer. He turned to Yang Fei'er.

Yang Fei'er gave a bitter smile and said, "Lord Chiyu, you came too late. Just now, Longyu Venerable broke his contract and stopped supplying elixirs to our Ice Cloud Sect."

Chiyu Venerable's expression changed. He sighed and said, "Ah, Sister Ice Cloud, you really should change your temper! Master Ji's alchemy skills are extraordinary—truly not someone to offend!"

At this moment, Ice Cloud Venerable was gnashing her teeth, her chest heaving, almost at the brink of losing control.

"I don't believe that a mere Six-Star Divine Alchemist can make the Extreme North Grassland bow its head! I will go see Xiaoyu Venerable right now!" Ice Cloud Venerable said, about to leave.

But Chiyu Venerable let out a faint sigh and said, "Too late. Just now, news came from Haofeng Market that Ji Qingyun challenged Xiaoyu Venerable, and Xiaoyu Venerable suffered a great defeat, now treating Ji Qingyun as his master."

At these words, everyone in the hall changed color drastically.

"What? Xiaoyu Venerable also... also lost? He... he is the number one alchemist in the Extreme North, a mid-Dao Realm expert!"

This time, Ice Cloud Venerable was truly shaken.

Haofeng Market was the most powerful market in the Extreme North Grassland, and Xiaoyu Venerable was recognized as the strongest Seven-Star Divine Alchemist in the region.

But now, Ji Qingyun had defeated him too!

Not only had he lost, but Xiaoyu Venerable, like Guhong Venerable, now treated Ji Qingyun as his master.

Just how monstrous was this Ji Qingyun?

Haofeng Market was actually managed by Feng Tianyang's father.

Ice Cloud Venerable had just been planning to take Lü'er to Haofeng Market to seek help.

But upon hearing this news, she felt as if struck by lightning.

Matters between Venerables could not be resolved by a mere marriage alliance.

Ji Qingyun was now at his peak; even Haofeng Venerable had to show him some respect.

How could he offend a great figure like Ji Qingyun for the sake of a Lü'er?

Besides, Feng Tianyang had no fewer than eight or ten women—why would he care about a minor Ice Cloud Venerable?

Ice Cloud Venerable suddenly realized that the vast Extreme North Grassland no longer had a place for her!

Chiyu Venerable looked at Ice Cloud Venerable with some sympathy, sighed, and said, "Sister Ice Cloud, when Master Ji returns, just soften your stance toward him! He is proud, yes, but actually quite easy to get along with."

In his dealings with Ye Yuan these days, Chiyu Venerable had found that Ye Yuan was actually very easy to work with.

As long as one didn't oppose him, he was even quite generous with elixir concessions.

Moreover, Ji Qingyun's elixirs were truly extraordinary.

He had obtained a few pills, and his disciples had all made great breakthroughs.

How could one offend such an expert?

And Ye Yuan had dangled an even bigger lure before them: Guhong Venerable!

This time, Ye Yuan was taking Guhong Venerable on a tour of the Extreme North. Once they returned, Guhong Venerable might have greatly increased his strength!